Published 3:14 pm, Thursday, March 8, 2018

AUSTIN — With the political drama of this week's primary election behind him, state Rep. Tan Parker made it official he wants to be the next Texas House speaker.

The job entails overseeing a legislative chamber torn between moderate and conservative political values.

Parker, a Republican from North Texas, filed paperwork declaring his candidacy with the Texas Ethics Commission Thursday. Parker currently serves as chairman of the House Republican Caucus, overseeing the diverse body of 95 Republican lawmakers.

Parker is one of several lawmakers interested in taking up the gavel come the 2019 Legislative session after San Antonio Republican Speaker Joe Straus announced last fall he would not seek reelection. Others include Republican Reps. Phil King of Weatherford and John Zerwas of Richmond.

The new speaker has an opportunity to reset the political stage in Austin, which has been colored in recent years by political skirmishes between the moderate Republican House and conservative Senate. The House elects its speaker on the first day of each regular session.

On March 6, Texas voters will decide who will carry the Democratic party's mantle into the battle for governor and a slew of other statewide offices. Click here for full coverage of the primary elections. Find our voters guide here.